A Picture Tells a 1,000 Screams

Day 355

May 5, 2014

Team Zybko

Who needs a fancy camera when you can walk away from the Crazy Mouse photo booth with these gems. 
Kodak moment, I think so.

I was even warned and coached by the cute giggle lady sitting next to me to be prepared......say cheese, here it comes, smile......ready? 

Well, I thought I was ready but the mini roller coaster drop caught me a little off guard. The quick decline came too fast. It left my stomach and soccer mom common sense somewhere back at the top of the noisy track. Apparently, fear also rendered my ability to actually close my mouth as I desperately gasped the hot funnel cake laden air. 

In my defense it had been nearly a decade since the last time I was buckled into a giant metal mouse, frantically swirling around high curves at lighting speeds. Laughing so hard and having so much fun I almost peed my pants. Sorry about that Lourdes and thanks for the fun afternoon at the Fair! A good time was had by all.   

Laser Tag

Team Zybko Against Myrtle Beach

Day 354

May 3, 2014

Team Zybko

Team Zybko was on fire during a fun spring break indoor outing. Buffed up with just the right combination of laser soldiers to make the other teams cry for mercy. Minus Lil David and Dylan but add Sarah, Macy, Bryson, Keith and Michael we were an unstoppable coastal force. Obvious this type of war is not even close to real war. Thank goodness, as I'm pretty sure the back of my heavy vest vibrated at least 2,087 in the course of the afternoon. Signifying my deadness over and over again until the 15 minute mini wars were complete. Also, sorry to everyone of my family members and the unarmed teenage game master making minimum wage, could have sworn you were the enemy.

Hard to explain exactly what happened inside those dark walls of the hot strip mall stadium, it simply worked. Puppy guarding our team base, hidden snipers, miniature re-con units and over exaggerated pretend low crawling. Glow in the dark magic I tell you. Thank you all for having my back. I haven't had that much fun with a plastic gun since I was 8 years old.       

GHMS Presents Aladdin

Day 353

May 2, 2014

Team Zybko

After months of rehearsals coupled with middle school bonding amongst the other cast members the time had finally come. Showtime! Aladdin is a Disney favorite in our house, Delaney playing a non con-formative princess, well that's the icing on the cake. As her parents we had to giggle a bit, what a great role, this should be good, maybe too realistic but good.

 We were all anxious for the first performance date to roll around on the calendar, for the music to start and for the heavy curtains to be pulled on cue to the sides of the high school stage. Being part of a team, any team is a great experience. To share responsibility, to apply your God given talents appropriately, to be in front of an audience are all worthy life lessons. 

No cast member is more or less important than another. Moving sets back stage, details in the sound booth, fancy costume designing, artistic make-up crew or front and center in the spotlight. Every role is important. Every role builds confidence. Every role takes practice and hard work.

Many parts come together for it to work right.  

I'm pretty certain Delaney enjoyed the friends and family paparazzi fest after the last curtain call the most! Perhaps even more than the super cool Madonna microphone taped to the side her face. Who knows, but I bet it won't be her last performance. Way to go Gold Hill Middle School, job well done. 

From 2 Years to 20

In a Blink of an Eye!

Day 352

May 1, 2014
Team Zybko

Happy Birthday Dylan! Are you really 20 years old already?

Don't blink I tell new moms when I see them with a newborn, it really does go by fast, super fast. 

Actually, that's not entire true. I do in fact hear my own voice surrounded by an invisible thought bubble hovering above my head but for the most part try to refrain from uttering these overused expressions out loud. First of all, it completely blows my I am still 29 exaggeration age, makes me sound soccer mom old and unfortunately, the wisdom filled words end up flying right over a new moms head anyway. 

When you are cradling a brand new swaddled baby it's pretty impossible to picture your smooth skinned little nugget with arm pit hair, enrolled in college and 2 decades old. I do however, tell stressed out moms to slow down, enjoy the days of child rearing and never mind the house work, it will be there tomorrow, the next day and forever. Your child however, with or without your consent will eventually move out from under the cozy roof he or she calls home base.

Thank you Dylan for the past 20 years, it has been an honor and a joy to call you my son. I won't get all crazy mushy, promise. I'm pretty sure I did that on last years post, along with naked baby pictures. BTW, sorry about that. 

You have managed to live the 7,300 days of your life with bright, contagious smiley eyes, leaving a trail of happiness behind you for others to enjoy. Always searching for the lesson in any situation, looking for the opportunity to love your brothers and sisters and good work ethic are a few special things about you. Concentrating hard to tell a story or to remember the punch line of a really bad joke are up there too. BTW, most of the time we were laughing with you, the others times, well, just remember, being able to laugh at yourself is the first step. 

Being hundreds of miles away, unable to celebrate with you the day you came into the world is hard for a momma. I guess that's simply part of the deal that comes with your kids growing up and becoming real people in the world. Bummer. 

I wish we could have snuck past the military gates last night to decorate your dorm room with dollar store crea paper swirls, yummy cupcakes and a cheap Happy Birthday banner. But, after a few clear minded thoughts I realized this to be a bad idea. The fact that none of the kids have an indoor voice and taking into account where you go to school I realized it probably wouldn't work out so well. More than likely we would have been shot dead before the first hot breathed spitty balloon was taped to the wall. So instead, please know we are with you in spirit and send ALL of our love via social networking and a loud speaker phone family call later today. 

BTW, Daddy and I are more than proud of the man you have become, you fill my favorite coffee cup with momma pride, everyday. See, I told you I would only get a little mushy. 
Hope your day is wonderful!
Love, Team Zybko :)